Handbook Of Selfenhancement And Selfprotection

Self-enhancement and self-protection - the processes by which people exaggerate their virtues, deemphasize their shortcomings, or protect themselves against threatening feedback - play a central role in human behavior and social relations. This is the first major volume dedicated to synthesizing the growing body of psychological research on these important constructs. Bringing together leading investigators, the Handbook presents cutting-edge theories and findings on how self-enhancement and self-protection influence everyday functioning. The volume sheds new light on how individuals see themselves and interpret their actions and circumstances. The neurocognitive underpinnings of self-enhancement and self-protection are reviewed, and personality traits and contextual factors that make certain individuals more likely to hold distorted views of the self are identified. Attention is given to the types of attributes that are typically the focus of overly positive self-appraisals. Also addressed are ways in which self-related motives shape judgments of other people, as well as interpersonal interactions and behavior in groups. The psychological benefits and risks of self-enhancement and self-protection are probed, including implications for relationships, achievement, and mental health. Throughout the volume, innovative research designs are clearly described. The concluding chapter discusses the unique measurement challenges of this area of research and offers recommendations for dealing with them. -- from dust jacket.